Supreme Court (2) (West Virginia)
Margaret Workman
Contact:
Website:
| Name: | Margaret Workman |
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| Party: | Democrat |
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| Home City: | Charleston, W.Va. |
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| Home County: | |
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Biography:
Served 18 years as a Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge and a Supreme Court Justice
Personal Statement:
- What changes, if any, would you like to see in the way judges are selected?
- Non-partisan election with a shortened election cycle. Press, citizens groups and the Bar should work cooperatively to increase public pressure on candidates to agree to campaign spending limits. Criminal authorities should be more aggressive in investigating corporate entities or individuals who make illegal contributions through their employees.
- Do you believe that the current language in the Code of Judicial Conduct regarding contributions to judicial candidates' campaigns is adequate to insure impartiality on the bench? Please explain.
- Yes, if there is close adherence to the rules by judicial candidates, which is not always the case.
- What standards regarding recusal would you recommend to avoid the appearance of judicial conflict of interest?
- Standards in Judicial Ethics require that judges recuse where there’s an appearance of impropriety. Until recently, this rule has worked. Consideration of a procedure whereby refusal to recuse is reviewed by a three-member panel of circuit judges whose selection and votes are anonymous may be needed due to recent situations.
- How would you respond to the allegation that West Virginia is a hostile judicial climate to business?
- Supreme Court should be neutral, make decisions according to law and no other consideration. Should not seek to present an image of favor to either side, business or labor, plaintiff or defense. Should hear more cases, review all punitive damages awards and cases with significant economic impact on West Virginia.
